LOS ANGELES — The Stanley Cup Final series between the New York Rangers and Los Angeles Kings is supposed to be so close that every game should be decided by a lucky break or a single exceptional play.

The Kings benefited from both Wednesday when a puck bounced over defenseman Dan Girardi's stick, leading to a turnover and Justin Williams's bullet shot past goalie Henrik Lundqvist at 4:36 of overtime to give the Kings a 3-2 win in Game 1.

"Unlucky bounce on our part and fortunate bounce on their part," Rangers coach Alain Vigneault said.

Game 1 will allow us to draw some conclusions about the series, such as the fact that goaltending will be as critical as we expected it to and both goalies seem to be at the top of their game.

It seemed clear that the Rangers' speed is going to be challenging for the Kings to contain. Speedy Rangers forward Carl Hagelin got loose a couple of times, scored a goal on one breakaway and led the Rangers with five shots on goal.

"His speed shorthanded was definitely a positive factor for us," Vigneault said. "We just need to be able to generate the same thing five-on-five."

PHOTOS: 2014 Stanley Cup Final

Los Angeles Kings players pose for a team photo with the Stanley Cup after defeating the New York Rangers game five. Gary A. Vasquez, USA TODAY Sports

Los Angeles Kings defenseman Alec Martinez (27) celebrates with teammates including left wing Tanner Pearson (70) after scoring the game-winning goal in the second overtime against the New York Rangers in game five. Gary A. Vasquez, USA TODAY Sports

Los Angeles Kings defenseman Alec Martinez (27) celebrates with teammates after scoring the game-winning goal against the New York Rangers during the second overtime period in game five. Gary A. Vasquez, USA TODAY Sports

New York Rangers defenseman Anton Stralman (6) clears the puck from off the goal line away from goalie Henrik Lundqvist (30) and Los Angeles Kings center Jeff Carter (77) during the first period in game four at Madison Square Garden. Pool photo via USA TODAY Sports

New York Rangers center Derick Brassard (16) tries to separate right wing Mats Zuccarello (36) from Los Angeles Kings left wing Tanner Pearson (middle) during the third period in game four. Adam Hunger, USA TODAY Sports

New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist (30) makes a save as right wing Mats Zuccarello (36) tries to clear the puck against the Los Angeles Kings during the second period in game four. Ed Mulholland, USA TODAY Sports

Los Angeles Kings goalie Jonathan Quick (32) makes a save as defenseman Slava Voynov (26) defends the net as New York Rangers left wing Chris Kreider (20) looks for the puck during the first period in game four. Ed Mulholland, USA TODAY Sports

Los Angeles Kings left wing Dwight King (in black) collides with New York Rangers defenseman Ryan McDonagh and goalie Henrik Lundqvist while scoring a goal in the third period during Game 2. Gary A. Vasquez, USA TODAY Sports

New York Rangers left wing Benoit Pouliot, middle, celebrates his goal against the Los Angeles Kings with right wing Mats Zuccarello, right, and Derick Brassard during the first period. Jae C. Hong, AP

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The Kings' offense seemed superior once they finally were able to get going in the third period. They out-shot New York 22-5 in the third period and overtime.

Meanwhile, Justin Williams might have gone from Mr. Game 7 to Mr. June. He already has a reputation for being a clutch scorer, based on the fact that he has scored seven goals and registered 14 points in seven career Game 7s.

"Justin is the most underrated player on our team by a mile," said Kings defenseman Drew Doughty, who also scored a spectacular goal for the Kings to tie the game 2-2. "He doesn't get enough credit for what he does."

But the truth is that Williams has been valuable playoff performer for the Kings for the past three seasons.

His shot looked like a laser beam.

"He caught it," said Quick. "He put it in a tough spot so it was a great shot."

Williams now has four goals and five assists in his past seven games. His production is indicative of how the Kings have gone from a goalie-dependent champion in 2012 to a more well-rounded team in 2014.

This is a team that has scored three or more goals for seven consecutive games, and that could be a significant problem for the Rangers if they can't find a way to subdue the Kings' highly confident offense.

The ability to come from behind has also become a habit for the Kings, who have erased two-goal leads in each of their past two games.

"It certainly helps we have done it time and time again," Williams said.

The Rangers can look at this game and say it was a tight game that could have gone either way. That is the truth. But the Kings can look at this game and say when the game was on the line in the third period and overtime, they were in charge.

"As the game progressed, we gradually got better," Doughty said.

The Kings weren't at their best in Game 1, and yet it was evident that they are team playing well enough to win their second Stanley Cup in three seasons. They have an undeniable swagger, a belief, instead of a hope, that they should win again this season.

Based on what we witnessed in the latter stages of Game 1, Lundqvist is going to have to post about a .940 or .945 save percentage if he wants to stop the Kings from accomplishing that.